Jump into teaching The Hearts of the Children Movement Words fun singing time activity with this idea that adds movement each time you sing a specific word. It’s a great way to add in singing repetition and help teach the song lyrics as you learn the words line by line and add in purposeful movement!
Have you ever thought to teach The Hearts of the Children (archives) to your Primary children? This is a song that once you sing through it a few times, you really change your mind about the song and catch on! It’s included as one of the recommended songs to teach this year as part of the Old Testament song for Primary.
The Hearts of the Children Movement Words
Sing through The Hearts of the Children once before you introduce this fun movement words pattern. This is a great way to transition to a new activity and help the children review the words before adding a new challenge!
Add an action for whenever you sing hearts by patting your heart. Sing through the song as you add this action twice – can you remember each time you sing “hearts” and add the action?
Next, add an action as you sing “turn,” there are two instances in the first two lines. Turn 90 or 180 degrees depending on if you will sing the song once or twice, so that you end up facing forward at the end.
Did you hear what two prophets were mentioned? Yes – Elijah and Malachi! Let’s add a little hop when we sing their names!
You all did so good at that, let’s add an action for “eternity.” At the very end of the song, let’s spin all the way around and end back facing the direction we started (forward if you spin 180 on turn).
Sing through the song again with all 4 actions. Then invite a class to come up front to demonstrate the actions for you.
The Hearts of the Children Movement Words:
- Hearts = Pat Heart
- Turn = Turn
- Malachi and Elijah = Hop
- Eternity = Spin
Extension Activities:
- For a challenge activity, especially for Senior Primary, add all 8 different fun actions. There’s a full pattern guide included in the extended printables to help the kids follow along easier.
- You can also let a child come up and help you pick one of the action cards. Introduce each actions in the order the children have picked, matching their words. Continue to add new actions with the kids selecting which ones to add each time through the song until you are using all of the different movement words.
For another fun similar activity, head over to see this Little Pioneer Children Movement Words singing time activity!
The Hearts of the Children Movement Words Printable Song Helps
This free in-post printable includes four 1/4 page action cards.
Join INSTANT Primary Singing for extended printables including 8 total actions with action cards and a 1-page, 2-page and 4-page action guide! You’ll find these bonus files included when The Hearts of the Children is the featured song of the month.
Get more out of singing time with the INSTANT Primary Singing membership that includes printable lesson plans, tons of extended printables and an ad-free experience for each featured song of the month, or get immediate access to the entire song list for the year!
Learn more about INSTANT Primary Singing membership options here!
Have questions or need more help, see this FAQ page here.
Head over next to this engaging The Hearts of the Children Magic Crayon singing time activity where you’ll draw different shapes to represent the song lyrics.
What other fun ways will you use this movement words singing time activity in your Primary room?
